‘If he feels he’s at 80%, he’ll play’: Lorenzo Insigne’s agent claims the Napoli captain is confident of being fit for Champions League clash against Barcelona despite suffering thigh injury set-back last week
- Lorenzo Insigne appeared to be a doubt for Napoli’s clash with Barcelona
- He injured his thigh against Lazio on Sunday ahead of Champions League clash
- But the club captain is upbeat about recovering in time, according to his agent
Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne is ‘optimistic’ he will be fit to play against Barcelona in their Champions League clash on Saturday, despite suffering an injury blow in Serie A last week.
The winger pulled up in agony during the closing stages of their 3-1 win over Lazio on Sunday, making him a major doubt for the last-16 tie against the Spanish giants, but the player’s agent claims he is ‘his own best doctor’ and will do whatever it takes to be involved.
‘Lorenzo is really eager to play and he’s optimistic,’ Vincenzo Pisacane said, speaking to Radio Punto Nuovo.
Lorenzo Insigne is confident he’ll be fit to face Barcelona despite suffering an injury blow
‘A player is his own best doctor and if he feels he’s at 80 per cent, he’ll play. I spoke to him this morning and he said he’ll do everything to be on that pitch.’
Napoli go into the tie at the Nou Camp with the scores level at 1-1 – six months after Antoine Griezmann cancelled out Dries Mertens’ first half strike.
The thought of missing the tie left Insigne feeling tearful, according to Pisacane, who hit out at ‘stupid people’ who questioned his passion for the club.
His agent claims he will play the Champions League tie even if he is only 80 per cent fit
‘Lorenzo was in tears when he thought he might not be able to play against Barcelona,’ he added. ‘Yet some stupid people continue to claim he doesn’t care enough about this club and the city. There’s not much more he can do to prove himself.’
A club statement last week confirmed Insigne’s injury, with the player suffering ‘tendon damage to the adductor longus muscle’ with additional bruising and said he would be monitored.
‘Lorenzo Insigne has undergone tests that have confirmed that he has suffered tendon damage to the adductor longus muscle in his left thigh, in addition to bone bruising.
He left the pitch in tears after suffering a tendon injury in his side’s 3-1 victory over Lazio
‘The player sustained the injury during the match against Lazio on Saturday. Insigne will be closely monitored over the coming days.’
Insigne has been a crucial member of Gennaro Gattuso’s side this season, acting as a leader on the pitch while also contributing with 12 goals and eight assists in all competitions.
He has spent his entire career in Naples – playing 348 times, scoring 89 goals and lifting the Coppa Italia twice.
